1. Socceroos. Is the World Cup the most unifying thing we have seen for a long time in Australian sport (since the last Football World Cup or Sydney Olympics)? You have to admire the passion and commitment of the fans! The funny thing is we know we are ordinary, but knocking over South American and European teams is exciting. Australia v Egypt will be interesting. Mo Saleh will be the difference, so we will need to watch him. Hopefully we can be more attacking! Two goals in three games won't win it! A goal may be enough to conquer the pyramids of Egypt!
2. NRL. The Dolphins are warming up for a sensational semi final appearance. No Wayne Bennett legacy impact. Classy, speedy and tough. What a lesson in recruitment that club is! Hard nosed forwards and speed. The Cowboys, Roosters and Knights all won tough arm wrestles!
Jason Taumalolo 300 games! Awesome. Not many players in the game at present over 300 games. Only Cherry-Evans (367), Ben Hunt who signed on for an extra season in 2027 (366), Josh Papali'i (334), Dane Gagai (328) and Adam Reynolds (320) are over 300 games. A rare club. Cameron Smith leads on 430 games. When will he be announced as an immortal? An incredible player.
The weekend told us a few things: Api needs to start. Ethan Strange needs to start. To'o may struggle to be picked. Bradman Best is a top shelf Origin player. Tedesco-Edwards is the toss of a coin. Olakau'atu is a must. He crushed the Storm early at Brookvale Oval. How he was dropped is staggering. Latrell will be missed but Crichton is an incredible leader and talent. Murray must start as well... Unfortunately Turbo looked like he needed leg surgery...so slow.
POSSIBLE WINNING NSW ORIGIN III TEAM:
- James Tedesco or Dylan Edwards
- Mark Nawaqanitawase
- Stephen Crichton
- Bradman Best
- Toula Koula
- Ethan Strange
- Nathan Cleary
- Payne Haas
- Api Korisau
- Isaiah Yeo
- Haumole Olakau'atu
- Hudson Young
- Cameron Murray
It will be interesting to see if Laurie Daley sticks with some less exciting options (Moses, To'o, Staggs, Brailey, Robson...). His coaching career could come to an end very soon otherwise.
3. AFL. The Swans... the Swans...What to make of them? That game v Brisbane reminded us all of that horrible 2024 Grand Final effort. There is a softer underbelly there sometimes, even if the season has been very positive for them so far. Gulden's return was most welcomed! Freo continue to shine... hard, dry tracks help their style. Dominant users of the football. Hawthorn and the Cats are hovering, but it is the Brisbane Lions that impressed most this weekend...and six straight wins for Carlton!
4. England v New Zealand Test Cricket. As soon as that sun comes out in England, the game changes. This pitch is an absolute road, but overcast conditions can change the whole Test. Series locked at 1-1. A top opening stand of 317 by Tom Latham (151) and Devon Conway (157). Ben Duckett (113) scored his first ton for a long time. 7 Test tons, but 16x 50s. Lots of starts, but not many finishes for an opening Test match batsman. New Zealand are zooming in on a 2-1 Test series victory. Lots of tight bowling and loose English batting at key moments. Harry Brook is incredibly talented, but thoughtless and slap dash at bad times.
5.T20 Cricket - Ireland v India. A remarkable T20 victory for Ireland v India. Like a Shakespearean play...arrogance is the fatal flaw. Playing the IPL Orange cap winner (most runs), 15 year old, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, would be a great start. He is a superstar.
6. FI- Austrian GP. Can Piastri upset Antonelli? Probably not from seventh spot on the grid. Lewis Hamilton is the surprise packet for Ferrari. McLaren are eating plenty of humble pie this season, sitting a distant third place so far. The Ferraris look sharpest.
7. Wimbledon. It all starts on Monday. Serena Williams is back in the first round as well (last played in 2022) v Australia's Maya Joint. She has lost so many games this year, Serena is a huge chance in Round 1. In the Wimbledon lead up tournament at Queens, Alex de Minaur gets dumped out in the quarter finals. Top 8 again is his limit.
8. USPGA Golf. At the Travellers, Scottie Scheffler shot 60 to led at16 under after two rounds, but Viktor Hovland has put pressure on him at -20 after three rounds. Incredible golf. A scintillating final round ahead.
No comments:
Post a Comment